Burying litigation and patent infringement suits dating back to 1993, 3D Systems Corp is to acquire the rapid prototyping, or the stereo business of arch rival EOS GmbH. 3D says the purchase, valued at around $3.25m will enable it to strengthen its position in the European market, at the same time saving time and money relating to the companies’ ongoing legal battle, which saw 3D Systems filing patent infringements against EOS and an EOS customer. 3D’s vice president and general counsel, Sidney Alpert said as a result of the deal the company has eliminated our major competition in Europe, and we have also inherited a customer base of some 70 installations. The deal is expected to close by the end of the week and although 3D is obliged by law to honor the contracts of EOS employees affected by the sale, Alpert says he is unsure as to how many of them will choose to work for 3D and expects it to be relatively few. Headquartered in Valencia, California 3D employs some 400 staff world wide, manufacturing and developing solid-imaging systems.
